Help Me Learn Chinese!

As a child, I used to be able to speak relatively good Chinese + Taiwanese, at least for my age. But my ability is the languages remained stagnant, or deteriorated (Taiwanese), as I grew up and had more things to do rather than study in these languages. I come from a half white/half Taiwanese background, and have started to regret not learning it when I had the chance.Now, I still have a basic knowledge in the language, and am able to speak at a very basic level. I am severely lacking in vocabulary and sentence structure, so here is my request:

Movies! As I was watching Ip Man, I realized that I could hear what they are saying, read the subtitles, then reform what they actually said in my mind so that I could understand it. I also heard from a few of my other friends that watching the movies helps their fluency, so I thought I'd give it a try.I am just requesting any Chinese (Mandarin) movies, that will most likely have English subtitles. Soap operas, dramas, action, anything; just preferably somewhat entertaining so I can actually watch it.Just suggest anything, and thanks for your help TL!

Yeah... once you stop taking Chinese in school, once a week just isn't enough, not to mention with the minimal discipline, and lack of consequences. When I was in Chinese school, I didn't have to try, because there was no actual motivation to get an A, etc. As a result, I learned almost nothing in 5-6 years.

超級星光大道 Xing Guang Da Dao.. Since you're in Taiwan, this show is great for learning Chinese and some vocab. They speak clearly and the show is interesting to keep you watching it.

Fearless (HuoYuanJia) is one movie I know that has Chinese/English voice and/or Chinese/English subtitles. Just go to http://yahoo.com.tw/ check the movies. Almost all movies in Taiwan including American movies are dubbed over in Chinese with subtitles. I'm in a similar situation with you, so this is what I do. ^_^

Dramas and Movies are a good way to start; There are plenty of places you can probably learn online too. Also, if you have a nintendo DS, you can play My Chinese Coach =].

My cantonese is lacking as well. I converse with my family in cantonese on a regular basis, and whenever a word i'm unfamiliar comes up, i ask them what it means. Then in my sleep i imagine ways to use that compound in a sentance or whatnot. Watching more movies/dramas can give you a feel for how to speak it fluently, as well as build your vocabulary :D. You should take Chinese in High School / College. There are probably chinese schools set up near you; register for a class =]! If money is a problem, just search online as there are many youtube vids for mandarin lessons :D.

On May 17 2009 12:03 Folca wrote:I thought this picture would make it into the thread+ Show Spoiler +

that is japanese hirgana script around the border.

dude, if you wanna learn chinese. i mean, learn it. you dont watch movies... that is passive.

you have only one option and that is to move to china or live in an environment where your survival depends on you actively listening, speaking, and thinking. having a girlfriend helps, but not if you are the only two chinese speakers around. move to beijing, where the best and most standard mandarin is spoken, with your background you can be competent in two years or so. also, why would you want to learn taiwanese? it is not pleasant sounding and only around 25 million speak it. unless you just want to live in chinese taipei you should learn mandarin. with a grasp of english and mandarin chinese (two most widely spoken languages) you can communicate with almost anyone in the world.

i moved to beijing with about 3 years of mandarin background from college. i am white so no chinese family or anything like that but did have real chinese friends growing up whihc influenced me. granted, i am talented with sounds, music, and languages, etc and am interested in learning so it is easier for me than other tasks. learning a language is not simple and demands a certain mindset. you cannot look at it as a task to be overcome but rather must tap into the cultural subconscious of the place whose language you want to know.

basically if you are serious then do something about it. but dont ask people for movie recommendations if you really want to "learn" chinese.

there are so many programs through school or teaching that can have you in china. its easy and you can get paid, visit this wonderful place, get a real chinese woman, and learn your mother tongue.

On May 17 2009 12:03 Folca wrote:I thought this picture would make it into the thread+ Show Spoiler +

that is japanese hirgana script around the border.

dude, if you wanna learn chinese. i mean, learn it. you dont watch movies... that is passive.

you have only one option and that is to move to china or live in an environment where your survival depends on you actively listening, speaking, and thinking. having a girlfriend helps, but not if you are the only two chinese speakers around. move to beijing, where the best and most standard mandarin is spoken, with your background you can be competent in two years or so. also, why would you want to learn taiwanese? it is not pleasant sounding and only around 25 million speak it. unless you just want to live in chinese taipei you should learn mandarin. with a grasp of english and mandarin chinese (two most widely spoken languages) you can communicate with almost anyone in the world.

i moved to china with about 3 years of mandarin background from college. i am white so no chinese family or anything like that. after a few years it becomes easy. granted, i am talented with sounds, music, and languages, etc and am interested in learning.

basically if you are serious then do something about it. but dont ask people for movie recommendations if you really want to "learn" chinese.

there are so many programs through school or teaching that can have you in china. its easy and you can get paid, visit this wonderful place, get a real chinese woman, and learn your mother tongue.

First, I wasn't planning on learning Taiwanese. Second, I agree that it is passive, but in my current state, I am not looking for another subject to study. I am currently want to just work on my fluency. I may go to Taiwan/China for an extended period of time, but that would be quite a bit of time in the future. What I am looking for is a simple way to slightly improve my Chinese fluency, and maybe pick up a few words; not to become fluent.

chill man, i wasnt trying to be offensive. im just tellin you how it is. maybe you could find some people on skype and chat. im just not a fan of the "movie as language guide approach". chinesepod.com is a decent website also. also, www.youku.com is a site which many films both western and chinese. check that out too for chinese movies.

Omninmo, Taiwanese is not pleasant sounding? Perhaps, but you might as well as have complained about people speaking Cantonese, how about the far west dialects? There are plenty of reasons I wouldn't recommend learning that, being a Taiwanese myself, but not pleasant sounding. Seriously, lol.

On May 17 2009 10:32 N.sL)_CreeD wrote:The easiest way is to just get a Taiwanese girlfriend man...

Funny thing, actually. The closest I ever got to this, I actually learned one word, haha.Xiao Zhang: Arrogant :O...EDIT: Though I still do not know how to write it...

Actually arrogant is imo a rather bad translation since the word doesn't denote arrogance directly.

If you aren't going to get out of the US, I'd personally just recommend learning Spanish, it'll be more useful :p

That aside, omninmo is quite right about it being a mindset. If you really want to get good at it, start using it as much as possible, assuming that you have people that will correct you. Just launch yourself at any form of media in the language, though do try to avoid the web-based ones due to how bad Chinese slang is. Do try to pick up reading though, being on my second new language (technically third if the now forgotten Spanish counts), I have to say that the ability to read greatly influences your speaking as well, especially with the likes of Chinese where image of the characters will give you a good idea of the pronunciation of the word.

On May 17 2009 10:23 Archaic wrote:Yeah... once you stop taking Chinese in school, once a week just isn't enough, not to mention with the minimal discipline, and lack of consequences. When I was in Chinese school, I didn't have to try, because there was no actual motivation to get an A, etc. As a result, I learned almost nothing in 5-6 years.

rofl, the story of a chinese school student's life, haaha. This is honestly what happens to every cbc/abc i've met -the cheating because of lack of consequences, the auto A's, etc.

Me and my friends had these semi transparent binders that you could see through if you pressed the plastic against the paper and we'd always use them during dictations hahaha

Everyone just takes advantage of the teachers since grading anything below an A is abominable to them

On May 17 2009 13:53 Ecael wrote:Omninmo, Taiwanese is not pleasant sounding? Perhaps, but you might as well as have complained about people speaking Cantonese, how about the far west dialects? There are plenty of reasons I wouldn't recommend learning that, being a Taiwanese myself, but not pleasant sounding. Seriously, lol.

On May 17 2009 10:32 N.sL)_CreeD wrote:The easiest way is to just get a Taiwanese girlfriend man...

Funny thing, actually. The closest I ever got to this, I actually learned one word, haha.Xiao Zhang: Arrogant :O...EDIT: Though I still do not know how to write it...

Actually arrogant is imo a rather bad translation since the word doesn't denote arrogance directly.

If you aren't going to get out of the US, I'd personally just recommend learning Spanish, it'll be more useful :p

That aside, omninmo is quite right about it being a mindset. If you really want to get good at it, start using it as much as possible, assuming that you have people that will correct you. Just launch yourself at any form of media in the language, though do try to avoid the web-based ones due to how bad Chinese slang is. Do try to pick up reading though, being on my second new language (technically third if the now forgotten Spanish counts), I have to say that the ability to read greatly influences your speaking as well, especially with the likes of Chinese where image of the characters will give you a good idea of the pronunciation of the word.

yea, if you are gonna stay in the US then he's right. anywhere else though spanish < chinese usefulness. in case you guys havent noticed. the slumbering chinese dragon is stirring. china is relatively unaffected by the so-called financial crisis because chinese ... actually have savings, OWN their homes and cars and dont use credit cards.. ever. not to mention the sheer manpower here. china is no longer the sweatshop to bloated corporations like walmart either. all that shit is done in india and the phillipines now.

On May 17 2009 13:53 Ecael wrote:Omninmo, Taiwanese is not pleasant sounding? Perhaps, but you might as well as have complained about people speaking Cantonese, how about the far west dialects? There are plenty of reasons I wouldn't recommend learning that, being a Taiwanese myself, but not pleasant sounding. Seriously, lol.

On May 17 2009 12:08 Archaic wrote:

On May 17 2009 10:32 N.sL)_CreeD wrote:The easiest way is to just get a Taiwanese girlfriend man...

Funny thing, actually. The closest I ever got to this, I actually learned one word, haha.Xiao Zhang: Arrogant :O...EDIT: Though I still do not know how to write it...

Actually arrogant is imo a rather bad translation since the word doesn't denote arrogance directly.

If you aren't going to get out of the US, I'd personally just recommend learning Spanish, it'll be more useful :p

That aside, omninmo is quite right about it being a mindset. If you really want to get good at it, start using it as much as possible, assuming that you have people that will correct you. Just launch yourself at any form of media in the language, though do try to avoid the web-based ones due to how bad Chinese slang is. Do try to pick up reading though, being on my second new language (technically third if the now forgotten Spanish counts), I have to say that the ability to read greatly influences your speaking as well, especially with the likes of Chinese where image of the characters will give you a good idea of the pronunciation of the word.

spanish < chinese usefulness. in case you guys havent noticed. the slumbering chinese dragon is stirring. china is relatively unaffected by the so-called financial crisis because chinese ... actually have saving and dont use credit cards.. ever. not to mention the sheer mass of people here. what are you gonna do with spanish? get a good deal on a landscape job? get cheap weed from the vatos locos?

Yeah, in terms of America, within the decade and maybe even two, Spanish will still have its presence. Chinese? No matter how important China rises in terms of power, the fact that it is such a complicated language will limit its use globally, especially in America. Don't forget that even in terms of sheer population, there are still a huge amount of Spanish speaking countries, and they are a damned lot closer to America than China is. What are you going to do with Chinese? Outside of the very few people who can excel at it enough you won't be able to use it yourself all that much either. In terms of America, ability to speak Spanish is a huge plus at the moment, and will likely remain so due to the huge Spanish populace influx, one that will likely remain. Chinese? Not so much, you try to use Chinese and they'll reply in English much better than your Chinese most of the time.

Saying that China is relatively unaffected by the financial crisis is a joke, no one is relatively unaffected, China might recover faster because of the high savings rate, etc, but it certainly doesn't mean much. (In fact, we can pose the argument that its inelastic savings tendency has fucked itself over during this period) It still lacks much of the things that a modern economy requires (though it is catching on rapidly). But at any case, knowing Chinese doesn't quite allow you take advantage of that, being born in China and having the connections in there does much more.

Then again, I am an immigrant, maybe it is just too close to me for me to be able to see the benefits properly.